Georgian Officials Offer Condolences over Death of Senator McCain
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, August 28
Top Georgian officials and ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili has offered their condolences over the death of a six-term US Senator John McCain, who stated during the Russia-Georgia war that “now we are all Georgians.”
Current and former Georgian top figures called McCain “Georgia’s national hero, who will be remembered forever.”
“ McCain was a dear friend and ardent supporter of Georgia. He was an American hero whose legacy lives on around the world. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family', PM Mamuka Bakhtadze tweeted.
President Giorgi Margvelashvili wrote that “Georgian people have lost a great friend who had always been beside our country.”
"McCain was a symbol of patriotism, bravery, the struggle for truth and commitment to values. He was exemplary for the whole world. His contribution is immeasurable for Georgia, his support in our country's most difficult and hard days is priceless.
“He directly participated in a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the Georgian state. John McCain is the national hero of Georgia, and Georgian people will never forget him. I offer my sincere sympathy to his family and all American people. McCain's name will remain forever in the history of humanity," Margvelashvili wrote.
McCain was a national hero of Georgia, - former President Saakashvili said in his video address.
" McCain was Georgia’s biggest friend ever in the West and the world. McCain was the best friend ever in my life. This is an incredible loss for Georgia and a heavy loss for the world,” Saakashvili said.
Senator John McCain, the Vietnam War hero, senator, and presidential candidate died aged 81 on Saturday surrounded by his family, a short statement released by his office said.
He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor in July 2017 and had been undergoing medical treatment.
His family announced on Friday that McCain, who left Washington in December, decided to stop treatment.
McCain's daughter Meghan said the task of her life would now be "to live up to his example, his expectations, and his love.
